Nonprofit Legal and Related Content lets You Know about the Rules!

Trust is essential in your nonprofit work. That's why you should take Nonprofit Ethics and Compliance.

Because they rely on the public's trust, nonprofit organizations must adhere to the highest ethical standards; even a hint of impropriety could jeopardize a nonprofit's reputation, its fundraising, and eventually its mission. At the same time, nonprofits with 501 (c)(3) status must be scrupulous in their compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.

This course provides a detailed introduction to nonprofit ethics and compliance, examining a range of topics including: mission and vision statements; governance policies; conflicts of interest; fundraising ethics; IRS compliance; state laws and regulations; and the role of the compliance officer. This self-paced course, filled with videos and interactive case studies, will help you understand one of the most important areas of nonprofit management.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Nonprofit Legal & Related Content

Here are answers to common questions about the legal, compliance, and advocacy resources available on Nonprofit.Courses.

1. Overview & Disclaimer: Is this professional legal advice?

No. The content provided is for educational purposes to help you understand "the rules of the nonprofit road." While these courses help you prepare questions and actions, you should always seek professional legal counsel for specific advice regarding your organization.

2. What is the main goal of these resources?

To help nonprofit staff and volunteers understand regulations, minimize risk, and build trust. As stated on the page, "Understanding Legal Concepts is Half the Battle!"

Course Content & Topics

3. What legal topics are covered?

The section covers a wide array of compliance and legal issues, including:

• Governance: Roberts Rules of Order, dissolving a nonprofit, and mission/vision policies.
• Compliance & Fraud: IRS compliance, fraud trends (and how to spot them), and state filing requirements (e.g., "My Church forgot to file with the Secretary of State").
• Employment Law: 2020/2021 Employment Law reviews, bonus/incentive rules in fundraising, and volunteer injury liability.
• Intellectual Property: Trademarks and how they work for nonprofits.
• Civic Engagement: Advocacy, lobbying, voter engagement, and the census.

4. Are there resources on advocacy and voting?

Yes. There is a strong focus on Civic Engagement and Voter Engagement, with resources from Nonprofit VOTE on getting voters interested in local elections, the benefits of voting, and messaging campaigns.

5. Do you cover ethics?

Yes. Ethics is a key component, with courses like "Nonprofit Ethics and Compliance" and "Ethics for Project Managers" designed to help organizations maintain public trust and reputation.

Pricing & Certification

6. Are the legal courses free?

Many resources are Free, including webinars on trademarks, fraud, and voter turnout. There are also Premium Paid Courses for more specialized or in-depth legal training.

7. Can I get a certificate?

Yes. You can find certificate programs such as the Certificate in Nonprofit Management (offered by MindEdge), which includes modules on ethics and governance.

Instructors & Providers

8. Who provides the legal training?

The content is curated from attorneys, accounting firms, and advocacy groups, including:

• Legal Experts: Birken Law (trademarks), Lorman (employment and liability), and Harbor Compliance.
• Accounting & Finance: Wolters Kluwer and Your Part-Time Controller (fraud prevention).
• Advocacy Groups: Nonprofit VOTE and Nonprofit Utopia.
• Consultants: Jeff Pospisil and Boss on a Budget.

Formats

9. What formats are available?

• Videos & Webinars: Ranging from short 8-minute explainers (e.g., on Trademarks) to hour-long sessions on employment law.
• Self-Paced Courses: Comprehensive modules on ethics and compliance.
• Documents: Guides and checklists for compliance.